How often does it rain?
The short answer is “It probably won’t rain on you”.
The long answer is longer:
I’ve walked up Arthur’s Seat hundreds of times and most of them have been dry and sunny. This may come as a surprise to you if you’ve heard that it always rains in Scotland. But Edinburgh and the East of Scotland are generally much drier and sunnier than Glasgow and the West coast.
Most days on Arthur’s Seat are clear and fine, with panoramic views far and wide. On particularly clear days we can see all the way to Ben Lomond, a mountain on the far side of Glasgow.
We almost always get to enjoy sights all around, including the North Sea, Kingdom of Fife, Pentland Hills, and the Forth Bridge.
But…
Occasionally the hill is shrouded in fog — we call this ‘the haar’ in Edinbrgh — which adds an eerie, atmospheric ambiance. It makes everything very still and quiet, and — not being able to see down to the city below — it feels like we’re sailing over an ocean of cloud.
On special rare occasions we are treated to a cloud inversion, where the summit is above the layer of cloud. Emerging from the mist into a warm, sunny world is like ascending to heaven.
Quite often it can be windy on the hill, windier than in the city where you are sheltered by buildings. This wind can make it feel cold, and a strong wind can make walking difficult. For this reason I advise against using an umbrella on the hill.
It can rain.
Mostly it doesn’t. But when it does it’s normally a short spell of drizzle. I’ve watched many dark clouds from the hill as they pass by and head out to sea. Of course, heavier rain is also a possibility.
I always recommend bringing a waterproof because it might rain at any time, and it’s better to be prepared. But your most important choice will be which shoes to wear. The rock on the hill can be slippery when wet, and the paths can get muddy, so wearing a decent pair of walking shoes or boots is always a good idea.
Rain also has its advantages. It clears the air, so afterwards the sunset is even more beautiful. It also clears the hill, so there are fewer other people around.
In Winter there is the added excitement of frost and snow. We don’t get much snow in Edinburgh, but when we do the city is magical fairytale. There can be some icy sections on some of the paths, but the blanket of sparkling frost or white snow is beautiful to see.